Our JTJ 7th graders focus ontzedek(justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world).

Just as the journey of B’nei Mitzvah bridges a young person into Jewish adulthood, our 7th-grade program ushers students from our TK-6th Religious School into our Judea Teen Journeys (JTJ) program. Through a mix of formal & informal learning and social experiences, teens explore their Jewish identity and voice within the adult world they are entering. By focusing on a variety of local social issues, students will foster their sense of tikkun olam - the Jewish obligation to better the world around them - and share the Jewish vocabulary behind our people's commitment to tzedek (justice) and g'milut chasadim (acts of loving kindness). Students will engage in social action, build relationships with one another & the Jewish people, and deepen their own Jewish identities. During each unit, students will participate in hands-on experiences and consider potential ways to be advocates and change makers. Students may earn volunteer hours for their school or hours towards their g'milut chasadim requirement for their B'nei Mitzvah. The year will conclude with students' active participation at Mitzvah Day.

Please note that the 7th grade program is a required part of becoming a B’nei Mitzvah at Temple Judea. However, it does not include Hebrew learning, which, during the 7th grade, is incorporated into the B'nei Mitzvah preparatory program.

7th GRADE TZEDEK TRACK SCHEDULE 2025-2026

Each unit will mix in-class learning with experiential education – whether from local experts, field trips, hands-on learning, or advocacy work. The year will conclude with students’ active participation in Temple Judea’s annual Mitzvah Day on Sunday, May 17th, 2026. 
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED: Unless otherwise noted, Sunday sessions will be from 12:00-1:30 pm., and Wednesday sessions will be from 6:30-8:00 pm. On Wednesdays, dinner is served from 6-6:30pm and on Sundays students will have lunch while learning For offsite trips, we will reach out for drivers/chaperones. 

Unit 1 - Food Insecurity
Sunday, September 14
Wednesday, September 17 - Trip: Shopping on a Budget at Ralphs

Unit 2 - Mental Health
Wednesday, October 8
Sunday, October 26 - Guest: Beit T'shuvah
Wednesday, November 5

Unit 3 - Civil Rights
Sunday, November 16 Screening of "Selma"
Wednesday, December 3
Sunday, December 14 - GUEST TBD

Unit 4 - Disability Acceptance
Sunday, January 11
Wednesday, January 21 - SCREENING: "Thirteen"

Unit 5 - LGBTQ+ Rights
Wednesday, February 4
Sunday, February 22- Guest: JQ International

Unit 6 - Antisemitism
Wednesday, March 4
Sunday, March 15- Trip: LA Holocaust Museum (Time TBD)

Unit 7 - Respect for Elders
Wednesday, April 15
Sunday, April 27- Trip: LA Jewish Health for Yom Ha'Atzamut (Time TBD)

Conclusion & Mitzvah Day
Wednesday, May 6
Sunday, May 17 - Mitzvah Day
Wednesday, May 20 - Wrapup

Note:  Students can apply the hands-on learning hours to volunteer hours for school and/or towards their G’milut Chasadim pillar for B’nei Mitzvah.  The 7th-grade program is required to become a B’nei Mitzvah at Temple Judea. However, it does not include Hebrew learning, which is directly incorporated into the Beit Midrash preparation process. 

    

Click below for information about our B’nei Mitzvah preparatory program